Remote-control hydraulic steering apparatus for ships



Oct. 26, 1954 G. w. HARDY 2,692,571

REMOTE-CONTROL HYDRAULIC STEERING APPARATUS FOR SHIPS Filed Aug. 2, 1948 6 Sheets-Sheet l JNVENTOR. 7a F/G. GORDON w HARDY AGENT Oct. 26, 1954 v w, HA D 2,692,571

REMOTE-CONTROL HYDRAULIC STEERING APPARATUS FOR SHIPS Filed Aug. 2, 1948 6 Sheets-Sheet 2 66 Fla 2 4 55 M-BG |3 7 l2 I 9 fi-So /6b -6d 5'- llll lb I II!!! II F6 0 IN V EN TOR. GORDON W HA RD Y AGE/VT Oct. 26, 1954 G. w. HARDY 9 ,57

REMOTE-CONTROL HYDRAULIC STEERING APPARATUS FOR SHIPS Filed Aug. 2, 1948 6 Sheets-Sheet 3 IN V EN TOR. GORDON Hf HARDY AGENT G. W. HARDY Oct. 26, 1954 REMOTE-CONTROL HYDRAULIC STEERING APPARATUS FOR SHIPS 6 Sheets-Sheet 4 Filed Aug. 2, 1948 INVENTOR. GORDON H. HARDY AGE/VT Oct. 26, 1954 G. w. HARDY 2,692,571

REMOTE-CONTROL HYDRAULIC STEERING APPARATUS FOR SHIPS Filed Aug. 2. 1948 s Sheets-Sheet 5 FIG. I?

77 /-50b g i 76 50c l3 50f 50 /4 50 I I9 F/G'. /6 M N, 22

/MI,/, 20d

INVENTOR. a/' m coma/v m manor I v G. W. HARDY Oct. 26, 1954 REMOTE-CONTROL HYDRAULIC STEERING APPARATUS FOR SHIPS 6 Sheets-Sheet 6 Filed Aug. 2, 194a FIG. /8

INVENTOR. GORDON W HARDY Wg/w AGE/VT Patented Oct. 26, 1954 REMOTE-CONTROL HYDRAULIC STEERING APPARATUS FOR SHIPS Gordon W. Hardy, Chula Vista, Calif.

Application August 2, 1948, Serial No. 41,981

7 Claims.

My invention relates to a hydraulic steering apparatus, more particularly for use in connection with various vehicles, such as boats or the like, and the objects of my invention are:

First, to provide a steering apparatus of this class in which the control of a rudder may be remotely accomplished by means of hydraulic tubular conductors extending intermediate an actuating cylinder and an operating cylinder, wherein a cable extends through the tubular conductor interconnecting the pistons in the actuating cylinder and the operating cylinder, which insures mechanical operation of the steering apparatus in the event leakage occurs in the hydraulic equipment of the apparatus;

Second, to provide a hydraulic steering apparatus of this class in which certain resilient means engaging the hydraulic fluid within the apparatus permits slight deflection of the steering mechanism, such as the rudder, or wheels of a vehicle, without damage to the hydraulic equipment of the apparatus;

Third, to provide a hydraulic steering mechanism of this class having novel directional indicating means associated therewith, which registers the angular deflection of the steering mechanism of a vehicle, so that the operator of a boat or the like may determine with a glance the extent of deflection of the rudder and the particular direction thereof;

Fourth, to provide a hydraulic steering apparatus of this class having novel means for maintaining tension of cables passing through the hydraulic conductor tubes from one piston to another piston;

Fifth, to provide an apparatus of this class having novel means for maintaining yieldable relationship of pistons hydraulically associated with each other, whereby shock imposed upo the mechanism of the apparatus is readily absorbed without damage;

Sixth, to provide a hydraulic steering apparatus of this class in which the actuated shaft controlling a vehicles steering mechanism may be considerably deflected without damage to the mechanism;

Seventh, to provide a hydraulic steering apparatus of this class having novel manual control means in connection therewith, operative in case the hydraulic mechanism becomes damaged or is rendered inoperative;

Eighth, to provide a hydraulic steering mechanism of this class having novel means for bleeding various hydraulic conductor portions and casings thereof;

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Ninth, to provide a novel angular transition fitting which routes cables around corners in hydraulic conductor tubes of my hydraulic steering apparatus;

Tenth, to provide a steering apparatus of this class which is very smooth, very responsive to hand control, and very easy to operate;

Eleventh, to provide a hydraulic steering mechanism of this class having particularly desirable characteristics for installation in boats or the like for controlling rudders therein; and

Twelfth, to provide a hydraulic steering apparatus of this class which is ver simple and economical of construction, eflicient in operation, and which will not readily deteriorate or get out of order.

With these and other objects in view, as will appear hereinafter, my invention consists of certain novel features of construction, combination and arrangement of parts and portions, as will be hereinafter described in detail and particularly set forth in the appended claims, reference being had to the accompanying drawings and to the characters of reference thereon, forming a part of this application, in which:

Fig. 1 is a diagrammatic view of the mechanical features of my hydraulic steering apparatus; Fig. 2 is an enlarged side elevational view of the master cylinder and casing of my hydraulic steering apparatus, showing portions broken away and in section to amplify the illustration; Fig. 3 is a sectional view taken from the line 3-3 of Fig. 2; Fig. 4 is an enlarged fragmentary side elevational view of the actuated cylinder and casing of my hydraulic steering apparatus, showing portions broken away and in section to amplify the illustration; Fig. 5 is a sectional view taken from the line 5--5 of Fig. 4; Fig. 6 is a fragmentary side elevational view of one of the surge chambers of my hydraulic steering apparatus, showing portions thereof broken away and in section to amplify the illustration; Fig. '7 is a sectional view taken from the line l'l of Fig. 6; Fig. 8 is an enlarged sectional view of one of the cable transition casings, showing parts and portions in elevation to facilitate the illustration; Fig. 9 is a sectional view taken from the line 99 of Fig. 8; Fig. 10 is a sectional view of one of the vacuum relief casings of my hydraulic steering apparatus, showing parts and portions in elevation to facilitate the illustration; Fig. 11 is a sectional view taken from the line H-l l of Fig. 10; Fig. 12 is a longitudinal sectional view of one of the cable connection casings shown on enlarged scale and illustrating some of the parts and portions therein in elevation; Fig. 13 is a sectional view taken from the line l3-l3 of Fig. 12; Fig. 14 is a sectional view taken from the line l4-l4 of Fig. 12 Fig. 15 is a fragmentary longitudinal sectional view of one of the cable connec tion casings of my hydraulic steering apparatus, showing the structure on enlarged scale, and showing .parts therein in elevation to facilitate the illustration; Fig. 16 is an enlarged side elevational view of the direction-indicating needle and casng, showing portons broken away and in section to amplify the illustration; Fig. 17 is a plan sectional view of a modified form of my steering apparatus, showing the actuated cylinder casing thereof; Fig. 18 is a sectional view taken from the line l8-l 8 of Fig. 1'7, showing parts in elevation to facilitate the illustration; and Fig. 19 is a fragmentary sectional view taken from the line l9-l9 of Fig. 17.

Similar characters of reference refer to similar parts and portions throughout the several views of the dawings.

The casings l and 2, pistons 3, 4, and 6, crosshead I, screw 8, thrust bearings 9 and lb, retainer nut 'll, cables l2, cylinder caps l3, cap locks l4, lever l5, shaft l5, cylinder caps ll, cap locks l8, direction-indicating needle l9, needle actuating pistons 26 and 2i, casing 22, piston connecting pin 23, cable transition casings 24 to 35, inclusive, vacuum relief casings 36 to 39, inclusive, cable connection casings 49 to 43, inclusive, surge chambers 44 to 41, inclusive, steering wheel 48, steering shaft 49,-cable take-up casings 58 to 53, inclusive, cable and hydraulic conductors54 to 11, inclusive, and hydraulic tubes 18 to 82, inclusive, constitute the principal parts and portions of my hydraulic steering apparatus.

The casing l, as shown in Fig. 2 of the drawings, is the master control casing for my hydraulic steering actuator, forming the master hydraulic cylinder assembly, from which fluid is projected through the casing 2 forming the hydraulic cylinder for the actuated assembly. This casing I is provided with two parallel bore portions la and lb, in which the pistons 5 and 6 are reciprocally mounted. These pistons 5 and 6 are similar in construction. The piston 6, as shown reciprocally mounted in the bore portion lb, is provided with a conventional full ring sealing member Ga at each opposite end thereof. This piston 6 is also provided with a central bore portion 6b in which one end of one of the cables I2 is fixed by means ofthe set screws Bcand 6d. These cables l2 pass outwardly through'the hydraulic conductor tubes 54 and 55, which tubes are arranged to conduct the hydraulic fluid, in addition to forming guides for the cables l2. Enclosing opposite ends of each of the bore portions la and lb of the casing l are the sealing caps l3, having O-rings l3a therein, arranged to prevent the leakage of fluid outwardly of aid bore portions la and lb at opposite ends. Revolubly mounted in the casing 2 intermediate the bore portions la and lb is the screw 8, connected to the steering shaft 49, carrying the steering wheel 48, all as shown best in Fig. 1 and Fig. 2 of the drawings. It will be noted that the thrust bearings 9 and ID are adapted to support the screw 8 at its opposite ends in the casing l, and the retainer ll is screw-threaded into abutted relationship with the bearing ID for preloading these hearings 9 and I0, maintaining tolerance operation of the crosshead l, which is internally screwthreaded and engageable with the external screwthreads of the screw 8. This crosshead l is protively. It will be here noted that the cables l2 extend from opposite ends of each of the pistons 3 to 6, inclusive, and are contained in the cable and hydraulic conductors 54 to 11, inclusive.

'These'cables l2 pass through the cable transitioncasings 24-to 35, the cable connection casings 40 to 43, and the cable take-up casings 50 to 53, inclusive, intermediate the casings l and 2,

all as shown best in Fig. "1 of the drawings. The casing 2 is provided with separate parallel bore portions 2a and 2b, in which the pistons 3 and 4, respectively, are reciprocally mounted. These pistons 3 and 4 are similar in construction. The

1 piston '4 is provided with a transverse track portion 4a therein, engaged by the rollers l5a on one end of the'lever l5, which is keyed to the shaft l6, all as shown best in Fig. 4 of the drawings. This shaft l6 may be connected to the steering rudder of a boat, or to steering wheels of a vehicle,'as desired. It is to be noted that the pistons 3' and 4 engaging opposite ends of the lever l5 at the rollers l5a and l5b thereon, operate in opposite directions in the bore portions 2a and 2b. Connected to each opposite end of each of the pistons 3 and 4 is one of the cables l2, fixed thereto by set screws similar to the screws 4b in the piston 4, as shown in Fig. 4 of the drawings. The inner walls of the bore portions 2a and 2b are slotted to receive the arms of the lever l5, which extend therethrough, and the sealing rings 40 on the piston 4 at the limit of the piston travel, stop in spaced relation from the ends of these slotted portions 2c and 2d of the bore portions 20, and 2b, through which the arms of the lever l5 extend.

The piston connecting pin 23 is secured to the middle portion of the piston 4, and extends through the slotted portion 2e in the side of the bore 2b, opposite from the slot 2d, and connected to the opposite end of this pin 23 is the needleactuating piston 2|, reciprocally mounted in a reduced-bore portion 2 f of the casing 2, parallel to the'boreportion 2b, all as shown best in Fig. 4 of the drawings. The tube 82 communicates with the interior of the bore portion 2) at one end thereof, as shown best in Figs. 1, 4, and 16 of the drawings. The opposite end of this tube 82 communicates with the casing 22, in which the bore portion 22a thereof contains the needleactuating piston 20, having a pin 28a projecting therefrom, on which the direction-indicating needlele is pivotally mounted. The stationary pin 22b, in connection with the casing 22, forms a fulcrum for the direction-indicating needle l8, which is provided with a slotted portion l9a, slidably engageable with said pin 2%, all as shown best in Fig. 16 of the drawings. The pointer end lSb of this direction-indicating needle l8 traverses a dial 220, on the casing 22, which is calibrated to be used in connection with a boat steering-apparatus, or the like. It will be noted that the piston 20 is provided with a sealing ring 20b, on one end, and a spring 20c engaging the opposite end, supported by the plug 20d, screwthreaded in the end of the bore 22a of the easing 22. As shown in Fig. 1 of the drawings, the bore portions la, lb, 2a and 2b of the casings i and 2, respectively, communicate with each other through the cable and hydraulic conductors St to ll, inclusive, and the cables I? extend through said cable and hydraulic conductors, and each angular transition of the cable and hydraulic conductors, one with the other, is accomplished by means of the cable transition casings 24 to 35, inclusive, all of which are similar in construction. The cable transition casing 24, as shown in Fig. 8 of the drawings, is a hydraulic conductor communicating with the tubes l! and 55, through which one of the cables I2 passes. This cable transition casing is arranged to make a ninety degree angular transition of the cable, as shown in Figs. 1 and 8 of the drawings, wherein the cable l2 passes over a roller 24a rotatably mounted on a pin 24b. The cable and hydraulic conductors 55 and ill are connected with the casing 2s by conventional fittings 55a and Ila, respectively, which are internally screw-threaded in the casing 2 A bleeder plug 240 is provided for purging the cable transition casing 24, and a secondary plug, 24d, is provided which may be replaced by one of the fittings 55a or Na, in order to accomplish a forty-five degree transition of the cable 12 through the casing 24, if desired, it being noted that the axes of the fittings 55a, El a and the plug 2451 are all axially tangent to the roller Me. It will be further noted that an obtuse angular transition through the casing 24 may be made by connecting cable and hydraulic conductors in the locations occupied by the plugs 24c and Md, as desired. As shown in Fig. 9 of the drawings, one side of the casing 25 is enclosed by a sealing plate 25c, which is substantially fluid tight.

Communicating with each of the cable and hydraulic conductors 56, 65, 68 and H is a surge chamber adapted to maintain the hydraulic fluid therein under pressure. The surge chambers 64 to ll, inclusive, are substantially identical in construction. The surge chamber M as shown in Fig. 6 of the drawings, is a hollow cylindrical member, having pistons 44a and Mb therein, opposed to each other. These pistons 4 3a and 44b are provided with abutment projections M0 and Mid which maintain the pistons in slightly spaced relationship with each other, permitting communication therebetween with the cable and hydraulic conductor "ll through the fitting Tia. Tending to force these pistons 44a and Mb together are springs Me and 64 respectively, which are compressively adjusted by the adjusting screws Mg and il lh, respectively, bearing on compression plates My, all as shown best in Fig. 6 of the drawings. The caps 4367c and 54m are screwthreaded on opposite ends of the casing 44, and the bleeder plug Mn communicates with the interior of the casing Mi intermediate the pistons ticz and 46b. Communicating with the cable and hydraulic conductors 57, E4, 69 and 76 are the vacuum relief casing designated 39, 31, 38 and 36, respectively. These vacuum relief casings 38 to inclusive, are all similar in construction. The vacuum relief casing 36, as shown in Fig. 10 of the drawings, is a hollow cylindrical member having a freely reciprocally mounted piston 36a therein. This piston is provided with sealing ring it?) and the casing 3'5 is provided with a perforate cap 350 which permits vacuum relief communication with the upper side of the piston when fluid is evacuated from the normally lower side thereof, as shown in Fig. 10 of the drawings. Communicating with the interior of this vacuum relief casing 36 is the cable and hydraulic conductor 75, shown in Fig. l of the drawings. It will be noted that the piston 36a is provided with a screw-threaded bleeder plug 36d, which normally extends through the opening 36c in the cap 360, which incorporates a secondary vent opening 35f operative when the bleeder SM is projecting through the opening 36c. The cable connection casing 49 to :33, inclusive, as shown in Fig. 1 0f the drawings, are substantially identical in construction. The cable connection casing 40, shown in detail in Fig. 15 of the drawings, is a hollow cylindrical member and provided with an externally screw-threaded cap 40a on one end thereof, to which the cable and. hydraulic conductor it is fixed in fluid-tight relationship therewith by a fitting illb. The cables l2 extending through the cable connection casing 4!) are secured to the right-and-left-hand turnbuckle 480, which is arranged to connect the cables and adjust the tension thereof during initial assembly. The opposite end of the casing lit from the cap lfia is provided with a hollow cylindrical fitting 40d, slidably mounted on the outer side of the tubular cable and hydraulic conductor i5 and internally of this hollow cylindrical member 46d are sealing rings we, which seal the hydraulic fluid within the conductor 15 and the casing iii when passing back and forth therein. Centrally disposed in this cable connection casing ii) is a bleeder plug llif for use in purging the casing ill.

The cable take-up casings 56 to 53, inclusive, are similar in construction, and are arranged to maintain tension in all of the cables 12 within the cable and hydraulic conductors 54 to il, inclusive. The cable take-up casing 553 is a hollow cylindrical member having a cover plate 50a on one side thereof which is sealed in fluid-tight relationship therewith. Internally of the casing 553 are roller-supporting pistons 5% and 580, between which is interposed the spring Elid, which tends to force the pistons 59b and 590 apart. The cable i2, extending through the cable and hydraulic conductors i5 and H, is looped around the rollers 58c and 50f, which permit the cable i2 to be extended or retracted into the casing 59, dictated by the preload of the spring 5301, which is so designed to accommodate normal working loads, but which flexes in the event overloads are imposed upon the cable l2.

The operation of my hydraulic steering apparatus is substantially as follows: When the operator turns the steering wheel 58, rotating the shaft 49, the screw 8, as shown in Fig. 2 of the drawings, causes longitudinal movement of the crosshead i relative to the axes of the bore portions la and ib of the casing i, carrying the pistons ii and 5, respectively, longitudinally of said bore portions la, and lb, which expels hydraulic fluid outwardly thereof into the cable and hydraulic conductors '54. and 67, or 55 and 66, in accordance with the directional rotation of the steering wheel it. simultaneously the cables :2 are retracted into the bore portions la and I b of the casing i, and extended from the opposite ends of the bore portions Ia and lb in accordance with the directional rotation of the steering wheel 48. The cables i2 extending through the cable and hydraulic conductors 54 to H, inclusive, pass over the rollers in the transition casings 24 to 35, inclusive, as hereinbefore described, and thecables each pass through one of'the cable-take -up casings, as described inconnection with Fig. 12 of the drawings, which maintain all of the cables in proper preloaded tensional condition, so that normal working loads ofthe system are accommodated without deflection of the springs in thecable take-up casings, which are all similar to the spring designated 50d in Fig. 12 of the drawings. With each reciprocalmovement of the pistons and 6, corresponding movement of the pistons Sand 4 occurs, due to hydraulic transmission of fluid thereto, which causes rotative action of the shaft l6, forced by the lever l5 engaging the pistons 3 and 4 at their middle .portions, as shown best in Fig. 4 of the drawings. Each reciprocal movement of the piston 4 causes simultaneousand synchronized movement of the piston 2|, which conducts 'fluidthrough-the tube 82 to the direction indicator casing 22, in'which the piston 29 is reciprocally mounted, actuating the direction- L indicating needle l9, cooperating with the dial 220 which indicates the directional disposition of the boat rudder, or other steering apparatus in connection, so that the operator may, at all times, determine the directionand degree of deflection of the rudder of a boat, or steering mechanism of any other vehicle to which my hydraulic steeringapparatus may be connected. The surge chambers 44 to 41, inclusive, having opposed spring-loaded pistons therein, as shown in Fig. 6 of the drawings, provide for the cushioning of shock loads-which may be applied to the rudder, causing displacement of fluid in the bore portions 2a and 2b of the casing 2, which is transmitted through the cable and hydraulic conductors 54 to T1, inclusive, and abutted by the pistons 5 and 6, which are longitudinally immovable in connection with the screw 8. Thus, forceful deflection of a boat rudder, causing displacement of fluid in the bore portions 2 a and 2b of the casing 2 by the pistons 3 and 4, simply compresses the springs 44c and 44 as shown in Fig. 6 of the drawings, permitting the fluid displaced from the bore'portions 2a and 2b to pass into the surge chamber 44, or any other of the surge chambers 44 to 41, inclusive, as shown in Fig. 1 of the drawings, as the case may be. When the rudder of a boat is deflected in one direction, it maycause exhaustion of fluid from some of the-cable and hydraulic conductors 54 to H, inclusive, in which case the vacuum relief casingssupply fluid to balance the exhaustion of fluid from that portion of the system. These vacuum'relief casings, as shown in Fig. 10 of the drawings, are provided with freely movable pistons which follow the exhaustion of fluid from the vacuum relief cylinders 36 to 39, inclusive. For example, the vacuum relief cylinder 35, having the piston 36:; therein, may be exhausted of fiuid wherein the piston 36a travels toward the cable and hydraulic tube 16, permitting air-to enter the opposite side of thecasing through the openings 36c and 361. Thus, compression of the springs 44; and Me, as shown in Fig. 6 of the drawings, may occur concurrently with exhaustion of fluid from one of the vacuum relief casings J5 to'39, inclusive, as shown in Fig. 10 ofthe drawings. It .is therefore obvious that forceful deflection of a rudder does not'cause anyserious strain or permanent eifects on any portion of my hydraulicsteering apparatus, due to the preloaded arrangement of the fluid by the springsMe and 44f,.=and by the preloaded arrangement of the cables l2 in the cable take-up casingsto.53, inclusive, as shown in Fig. 12

of the drawings. 'Concurrent to displacement of fluidtin the'system due to deflection of the rudder, extension and retraction of the cables l2 must be accomplished, which compensation is made by the-cable take-up casings 50 to 53, inclusive, as shown in Fig. 12, wherein the spring 59d of the cable take-up casing 53 serves to preload thecables l2 and serves as a resilient, compressible medium which may be deflected when extension of the cables 12 is dictated by deflection of the rudder in connection with my hydraulic steering apparatus, or the deflection of any other steering medium, controlled by my hydraulic steering apparatus.

In the installation as shown in Fig. 1 of the drawings, the plug 24c of the cable transition casing 24, illustrated in detail in Fig. 8 of the drawings, is replaced by a fitting supporting one end of the hydraulic conductor 18, which extends to the check valve 83a of the pump 83?) in the supply reservoir 830. The hydraulic tube communicates with the checkivalve 83a and supplies fluid to the cable transition casing 25. The check valve 83d communicates with the hydraulic tubes 19 and EH and'supplies fluid to the hydraulic system through the cable transition casings 25 and 21, respectively. In connection with this check valvettd is a pump 83a, and access to these pumps 83b and 83a may be had by opening the cover 83] of the casing 830. In use the cover is uppermost, permitting the fluid to gravitate downwardly around the pumps 83b and 83.2, which are manual pumpssimilar to those designated 42 and 44 in Fig. 5 of my former patent application, Ser. No. 571,571, filed January 6, 1945. This supply reservoir 830, having the pumps 8% and 83e therein, permits the operator to readily purge any portion of the hydraulic system desired by opening a bleeder and actuating one of the pumps which forces any bubbles presentout of the system, as desired.

In the modification, as shown in Figs. 17, 18 and 19 of the drawings, the parts are designated as follows: The casing 84, pistons and 88, universal joint 81, control shaft'88, base 89, springs and SI, bearing 92, and the diaprhagm 93.

The casing 84 is similar to the casing 2 hereinbefore described in Fig. 4 of the drawings. The pistons85 and 85 are similar to the pistons 3 and A in the casing 2. A lever 94, interconnects the pistons 85 and 86 and is-fixed on the shaft 88 in a similar manner to the lever I5, shown in Fig. 4 of thedrawings. The general operation of the casing 84 is similar to that of the casing 2, disclosed inFig. 4 of the drawings. Extending through this casing 84, transversely to the axis of thebore portions therein, in which the pistons 85 and'86 are reciprocally mounted, are the bolts 34a and 8417, which retain the springs SI and 90, respectively. These springs are compression springs, tending to hold the casing 34 downwardly in connection with the base 89, as shown best in Fig. 18 of the drawings. Each of the springs 90 and 9! is fitted in a well, shown in Fig. 18 of the drawings, designated 840. The base 89 is provided with upwardly and outwardly inclined wall portions 39a, and is mounted on a resilient diaphragm 93, through which the lower portion 88a of the shaft 88 extends. Centrally located in this diaphragm 93 is a packing gland Q31, through which the shaft 88a extends. The shaft. 88a isfixed to the lever 94 by means of the key-Ma am the universal joint 81 interconnects the-lower shaft portion 88a with the upper shaft portion-"88b. I .This' uppershaft portion 88b ex- 9 tends through a stationary spheroid bearing 92, permitting angular deflection of the shaft portion 882), all as shown best in Fig. 19 of the drawings. The particular modified structure, as shown in Figs. 1'7 to 19, inclusive, of the drawings, is adapted for use in connection with boat rudders having a vertical control shaft 88. The upper end of this control shaft 88 is arranged for manual operation, while the lower end of the shaft 88, at its portion 88a, is connected to the rudder externally of the boat hull. During normal operation, the hydraulic fluid passing into and out of the casing 84, in engagement with the pistons 35 and 85, causes actuation of the rudder, as hereinbefore described in connection with Figs. 1 and i of the drawings. In operating the modified structure, it is possible to use the boat when hydraulic operation is impaired. Thus, manual operation of the shaft 881) when the hydraulic system fails, provides an auxiliary control for the boat rudder, or any other steering mechanism involved. When the modified structure shown in Figs. 17 to 19, inclusive, is used in connection with a boat, and rudder is connected to the shaft portion tile, and when this rudder contacts an obstruction and is deflected, the shaft 83a, together with the casing 84, is moved upwardly and laterally along the inclined planes 890' of the base 89, while the diaphragm 93 flexes, due to its resilient character. The universal joint 81 transmits motion in angular relationship intermediate the shaft portions 88a and 88?), while the spheroid bearing e2 permits varied angular disposition of the shaft 381) relative to the plane of the deck 95.

Though I have shown and described a particular construction, combination and arrangement of parts and portions, and a certain modification, I do not Wish to be limited to this particular construction combination and arrangement, but depermitting angular deflection of the shaft portion sire to include in the scope of my invention the construction, combination and arrangement substantially as set forth in the appended claims.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new and desire to secured by Letters Patent is:

1. In a hydraulic steering mechanism of the class described, the combination of a master cylinder and an actuated cylinder, each of said cylinders having reciprocal pistons therein, tubu-- lar conductors interconnecting and intercominunicating with each of said cylinders and said pistons, and cables extending through said conductors interconnecting said pistons, cable takeup casings communicating with said tubular conductors, each having a pair of opposed rollers in connection therewith, a spring interposed between said rollers and tending to separate the rollers, said cables looped around said rollers, whereby tension in connection with said rollers tends to retract said cables into said cable takeup casing from each end thereof.

2. In a hydraulic steering mechanism of the class described, the combination of a master cylinder and an actuated cylinder, each of said cylinders having reciprocal pistons therein, tubular conductors interconnecting and intercom municating with each of said cylinders and said pistons, and cables extending through said conductors interconnecting said pistons, a cable connection casing communicating with each of said tubular conductor and having a turnbuckle therein connecting said cable for adjustment thereon, one end of said cable connection casing screw-threadably connected with said conductor, the other end thereof longitudinally slidable over said conductor for exposing said turnbuckle.

3. In a hydraulic steering mechanism of the class described, the combination of a master cylinder and an actuated cylinder, each of said cylinders having reciprocal pistons therein, tubular conductors interconnecting and intercommunicating with each of said cylinders and said pistons, cables extending through said conductors interconnecting said pistons, and a surge chamber communicating with each of said tubular conductors, having abutted pistons therein, resiliently loaded toward each other, said tubular conductor communicating intermediate said pistons, whereby a pressure overload of fluid in said said conductors causes resilient separation of said pistons in said surge chamber.

4. In a hydraulic steering mechanism of the class described, the combination of a master cylinder and an actuated cylinder, each of said cylinders having reciprocal pistons therein, tubular conductors interconnecting and intercornmunieating with each of said cylinders and said pistons, and cables extending through said conductors interconnecting said pistons, cable transition casings communicating with each of said tubular conductors, having rollers therein for guiding said cables in angular relationship corresponding to angular disposition of some of said conductors relatively to each other, a surge chamber communicating with each of said tubular conductors having opposed pistons therein, spring means urging the last mentioned pistons toward each other, a cable connection casing communicating with each of said tubular conductors at its opposite ends, having a turnbuckle therein interconnecting said cable, one end of said cable connection casing screw-threadably sealed to one of said tubular conductors, the opposite end of said cable connection casing slideably sealed on one of the other tubular conductors, permitting reciprocal movement of said casing for exposing said turnbuckle, a cable take-up casing in connection with each of said tubular conductors, having rollers, spring means urging said rollers away from each other, around which rollers said cable is wound, and a vacuum relief casing communicating with each of said tubular conductors, having a freely movable piston therein, said casing vented at the opposite side of said piston from its communication with its respective tubular conductor.

5. In remote control apparatus, a casing having a pair of parallel bore portions therein, pistons in said bore portions reciprocally mounted therein, a crosshead interconnecting said pistons, extending through slots in the side walls of said bore portions, said crosshead having an internally screw-threaded central portion, a screw threadably engaged with said internally screw-threaded portion intermediate said bore portions, and a steering shaft in connection with said screw, a second casing having a pair of parallel bore portions therein, pistons in said bore portions of said second-mentioned casing, a lever pivotally mounted intermediate the last mentioned bore portions, a shaft fixed to the last mentioned lever, said bore portions having slots in the side walls thereof through which opposite ends of said lever extend, and tubular conductors interconnecting the bore portions of said first and second casings.

6. In remote control apparatus, a casing having a pair of parallel bore portions therein, pistons in said bore portions reciprocally mounted therein, a crosshead interconnectingrsaid pistons; extending throughslots in the'side walls of said bore portions, said crosshead having an' internally screw-threaded central portion, a screw threadably engaged with said internally screw-threaded portion intermediate said bore portions, anda steering shaft in connection with said screw, a second casing having a pair of parallel bore portions therein, pistons in said bore portions of said second-mentioned casing, a lever pivotally mounted intermediate said bore portions, a shaft fixed to said lever, said bore portions having slots in the side walls thereof through which opposite ends of said lever extend, and tubular conductors interconnecting the bore portions of said first and second casings,.said shaft extending through said lever in said second-mentioned casing having a universal joint therein, the normally upper end of said shaft beinga manually operated shaft, a spheroid bearing engaging the same, said spheroid bearing supported by the deck of a boat, said second-mentioned casing having a base therefor, provided with outwardly and upwardlyinclined walls, resilient means. operatively connected to the second mentioned casingandsaidbaseto hold said casing downwardlyv'in saidbase, a resilient diaphragm on which said base is mounted, said diaphragm having a central bearingand packing gland therein, through which the lower'portion of said steering shaft extends, whereby deflection of the lower portion of saidsteering shaft causes deflection of said diaphragm, permitting said'casing to move outwardly and upwardly on" said inclined walls of said base, andcausing flexure of said universal joint, permitting the: upper and lower portions of said steering control shaft to :be angularly disposed to eachother.-

7. In a hydraulic steering mechanism of the class described, the combination of a master cylinderw casinghaving two'bores therein inside by side relation, a motor cylinder casing having two bores therein in side by side relation, tubular conductors interconnecting the bores of the master cylinder casing with the bores of the motor cylinder casing, a piston operatively mounted in each of said bores, cables extending through said conductors and interconnecting the corresponding pistons, a vacuum relief casing in communication with each' of said conductors and having a freely movable piston therein, an air vent in the end of said vacuum relief casing remote from the corresponding conductor, said piston having a channel therethrough and a bleeder plug closing said channel.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED'S'IATES PATEN'IS Number Name Date 375,674 Greene Dec. 27, 1887 560,934 Robertson May 26, 1896 622,600 Brown Apr. 4, 1899 1,621,916 Williams Mar. 22, 1927 1,687,720 Garner' Oct. 16, 1928 1,723,789 Kirkbride Aug. 6, 1929 2,109,114 Kerr Feb. 22, 1938 2,168,215 Keitel Aug. 1, 1939 2,242,542 Peterson et al May 20, 1941 2,344,473 Stevenson Mar. 14, 1944 2,348,323 Binder May 9, 1944 2,420,627 Stevenson May 13, 1947 2,524,449 Kellogg Oct. 3, 1950 2,558,684 Haase June 26, 1951 2,595,775 Wrangell May 6, 1 2 

